Thornton did just that against the Kings, scorching his former team for 27 points as the Nets cruised to a 104-89 victory. Thornton, who was traded to Brooklyn from Sacramento on Feb. 19, scored 13 straight points as the Nets pulled away early in the fourth quarter.

"If I’m open, I’m going to shoot it,” the 26-year-old said with a grin after the game.

Thornton provided the offensive spark off the bench, making 11 of 15 shots. And the Nets’ remarkable defensive run continued, helping them earn their seventh straight victory at Barclays Center and their fifth win in the last six games.

It wasn’t all good for the Nets, who had to finish the game without two important pieces. Paul Pierce left with a sore right shoulder in the first quarter. Andrei Kirilenko sprained his right ankle in the first quarter and sat out most of the second half. Also, Kevin Garnett missed his fifth straight game with back spasms.

The Nets are uncertain if any of them will be available when they host division-leading Toronto tonight.

Against the Kings, the Nets managed to bounce back from a discouraging loss in Boston. But it was not as easy as the final score made it appear. Brooklyn blew a 16-point, first-half lead, allowing the lowly Kings (22-41) to come all the way back to tie the game early in the third quarter.

But from there, the Nets’ defense buckled down. The Nets forced 24 turnovers and picked up 14 steals. Brooklyn became the first team since 1999 to force 12 or more steals in six straight games since 1999.

The Kings were also the sixth consecutive Nets opponent to record more turnovers (24) than assists (11). The last team to do that? The 2003-04 Detroit Pistons, who won the NBA title.

But the most eye-catching performance of the night came from Thornton, who electrified the crowd and impressed his teammates with his remarkable ability to heat up.

“There’s not many guys that can do what he does,”said Deron Williams. “He’s one of those guys who’s like instant hot. … He’s one of those guys that comes in, he hits one and it’s like NBA Jam. He’s on fire.”

Thornton needed only 29 minutes to score his 27 points, and 15 of those came in the fourth quarter to help the Nets pull away.

In 46 games with Sacramento this season, Thornton scored 20 or more points in only three of them. Sunday was his seventh game with the Nets and the third time he’s scored 20 or more.

“He’s been huge for us,” Williams said. “What he brings off the bench, his spark his energy, his shooting the basketball. Definitely happy to have him on board now.”And the way things have gone so far, Thornton — who was traded for 33-year-old

Reggie Evans and Jason Terry, 36 — may not need to learn much more of the playbook to continue having an impact in Brooklyn.

“When he’s open, shoot,” said Williams, the point guard. “There’s not a lot of set plays for him. He just finds it in rhythm, transition, wherever he can get it.”